Source: Daily_Mail
Kroenke splashes £1.7m in another Arsenal shares raid - takeover imminent
Stan Kroenke is within a whisker of launching a takeover bid for Arsenal after increasing his stake in the club.[LNB]The American businessman has splashed out a further £1.7million to buy 200 shares, taking his holding in the club to 29.9 per cent.[LNB]Under City regulations, he would be obliged to make a formal takeover offer to other shareholders if his stake reaches 29.99 per cent.[LNB] Money man: Arsenal's major shareholder Stan Kroenke (left) and chairman Peter Hill-Wood [LNB]He is about 60 shares away from that level. Half of Kroenke's latest shares purchase were sold by chairman Peter Hill-Wood.[LNB]When the matter of Kroenke's intentions for the Barclays Premier League clubwere raised during the recent Annual General Meeting at Emirates Stadium, theAmerican - nicknamed 'Silent Stan' - chose not to take the opportunity toaddress the gathered shareholders, with Hill-Wood intervening. [LNB]Any public statements against future bid intentions must beunambiguous, otherwise the individual or group would, under theTakeover Panel's rule 2.8, be prevented from making a formal move forsix months. [LNB] Attractive investment: Samir Nasri helps Arsenal stroll to victory against AZ Alkmaar[LNB]While Hill-Wood insisted major changes behind the scenes were noton the agenda, the Arsenal chairman has also suggested he was "veryrelaxed" about a proposed takeover by the American.[LNB]The £1.7m purchase is small change to Denver-based sports magnate , whose has an estimated wealth of more than £2billion.[LNB]In America, he owns basketball team the Denver Nuggets, MLS team the Colorado Rapids and ice hockey team the Colorado Avalanche.[LNB] Players meeting: But the Gunners stars aren't discussing the boardroom battle[LNB]WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?WHAT WOULD HAPPEN SHOULD KROENKE CROSS THE 29.99 PER CENT THRESHOLD?Under the strict financial rules of the City, Kroenke would be obliged to make a formal offer for the remainder of the shares in Arsenal - and be expected to have enough funds available to do so.[LNB]Kroenke would have to make a bid at the highest price he has paid for stock during the past 12 months, which was £10,500 in May. However, shareholders would not be forced to sell and so after the offer had been made, if Kroenke was not able to reach 50%, then he could not return to make another takeover offer for 12 months unless invited to do so by the company. [LNB]Enlarge DOES KROENKE HAVE THE CASH, PROBABLY AROUND £400m, TO MAKE SUCH A MOVE?It certainly would seem so.[LNB]The US business entrepreneur is listed in the Forbes 400 as one of the richest people in the world, his wealth is estimated to be about 3.5 billion US dollars (£2.1bn). His wife, Anne Walton, is from the family which owns the Wal-Mart shopping chain.[LNB]Kroenke Sports Enterprises have plenty of other sporting interests - including the Denver Nuggets basketball team and Major League Soccer outfit the Colorado Rapids, who already have a strategic relationship with the Gunners.[LNB]Reports in the United States suggest Kroenke is on the verge of selling his 40% stake in the St Louis Rams NFL franchise, which would bring a substantial return on his initial 200m US dollars (£120m) investment and free up more funds to plough into Arsenal.[LNB]WHAT DOES KROENKE PLAN TO DO?The American is renowned for his tendency to stay out of the media spotlight - earning him the nickname 'Silent Stan'.[LNB]Indeed, when offered the chance to address shareholders directly at Arsenal's recent Annual General Meeting, he simply sat back and smiled, as chairman Peter Hill-Wood intervened.[LNB]However, that may be more to do with another of the complicated Takeover Panel rules, which dictate any public statements against future bid intentions must be unambiguous, otherwise the individual or group would be prevented from making a formal move for six months.[LNB]Kroenke is now a member of the Arsenal board, and it has been suggested his continued steady investment is designed to fend off possible aggressive moves by Russian Alisher Usmanov, whose Red & White Holdings have just over 25% of the club.[LNB]Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith, who left the board during December last year, could well hold the balance of power with her family's 15.9% stake. If that was sold to either Kroenke or Usmanov, it would push both well past the takeover threshold.[LNB]WOULD HAVING KROENKE AS THE CLUB'S OWNER BE SO BAD?While the Gunners have long championed the importance of custodianship remaining in-house, there is no suggestion Kroenke would want to change things were he to eventually gain overall control at the Emirates Stadium.[LNB]Manager Arsene Wenger has made it clear he would not tolerate any interference on team affairs - although a few extra million to spend in the transfer market would no doubt be well received.[LNB] Arsenal poised for US takeover as Kroenke nudges closer to ownershipStan Kroenke remains tight-lipped over Arsenal takeover intentionsArsenal 4 AZ Alkmaar 1: Action man Andrey Arshavin as good as his wordARSENAL FC
